7th March 2018: Based on the original '70s sitcom, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em brings the hapless Frank Spencer and his unique brand of chaos to the stage. Starring comedian Joe Pasquale in the role of Frank, the story follows the evening of a disastrous dinner party at the Spencer household, featuring escaped chickens, broken furniture, burst pipes, exploding wine, and much, much more.

The original sitcom was famous for its stunts, and this stage version doesn’t disappoint: the set is phenomenal, with props perpetually falling over or breaking or exploding, giving the show the feeling of an old slapstick silent comedy. The script also reflects this spirit, with Frank’s unique style of speech incorporating lots of puns and wordplay (including some innuendo which had the audience in hysterics).

The cast are uniformly excellent at navigating the intricate comic timing of these moments, with Sarah Earnshaw giving solid support as Frank’s long-suffering wife Betty, and Susie Blake a riot as her mother, who becomes increasingly tipsy and outrageous as the night goes on. Joe Pasquale is also a standout in the lead role of Frank, navigating the various stunts and setpieces with aplomb. Rather than impersonating Michael Crawford’s memorable mannerisms from the original series, Pasquale offers his own unique take on the character: his Frank is altogether more loveable and endearing, and you find yourself rooting for him even when you can see disaster looming. Amidst all of the chaos, there are also some very touching moments between Frank and Betty, which give the show a real heart as well as laughter.

All in all this was a quality night’s entertainment, and one to be heartily recommended. Whether you’re familiar with the original show or new to Frank and his accident-prone capers, you’ll find yourself laughing along, and gasping at the how-did-they-do-that quality of the stunts.